2026 Midterms · Governor · Wyoming Safe R
Wyoming — Governor
The 2026 Wyoming gubernatorial general election features Republican nominee Eric Barlow, a state senator and former Speaker of the House, against Democratic nominee Ken Casner. There is no incumbent in this open-seat election, following the August 18, 2026 primaries in which Barlow won a multi-candidate Republican primary and Casner advanced from the Democratic primary. The race hinges on conservative governance, state energy and agricultural policy, and local control over community services. Major election outlets including Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate the race as Solid or Safe Republican.
Economy and Fiscal Policy
high salienceRepublican Eric Barlow
Supports core industries and cash-based budgeting
Barlow advocates for living within state financial limits by enforcing cash-based budgeting and responsible state spending. He aims to strengthen Wyoming's foundation industries—including energy, minerals, agriculture, tourism, and small businesses—while building workforce partnerships and encouraging innovation in manufacturing.
- Implement cash-based budgeting and live within state financial means.
- Strengthen core industries such as minerals, energy, tourism, hospitality, agriculture, and small businesses.
- Encourage innovation and capital investment in new technologies and manufacturing.
- Build public-private partnerships to expand and prepare Wyoming's future workforce.
“Live within our means, including cash-based budgeting.”
“Strengthen our core industries of minerals and energy, tourism and hospitality, and agriculture, as well as small businesses.”
Agriculture and Property Rights
medium salienceRepublican Eric Barlow
Supports landowner rights and agricultural heritage
Drawing on his background as a rancher and large-animal veterinarian, Barlow emphasizes property rights as central to state freedom. His legislative record includes backing bills to protect landowners, maintaining state water rights, and opposing federal regulations affecting agricultural producers.
- Supported legislative measures strengthening landowner property rights.
- Defended Wyoming's established water rights framework.
- Opposed federal regulatory overreach impacting state livestock and agricultural producers.
“He understands that property rights are the backbone of Wyoming’s freedom. In the Legislature, he supported bills strengthening landowner rights, supported Wyoming’s strong water rights laws and fought government overreach that threatens producers.”
Healthcare and Community Infrastructure
medium salienceRepublican Eric Barlow
Supports local control and rural healthcare access
Barlow focuses on helping local communities retain authority while meeting critical requirements in public safety, healthcare, education, and physical infrastructure. During his legislative tenure, he worked on highway safety initiatives, family healthcare information access, and local water infrastructure projects.
- Ensure local communities retain decision-making control over healthcare, education, safety, and infrastructure.
- Pushed for state highway safety improvements and local water infrastructure projects.
- Worked to provide families better access to information regarding healthcare options.
- Explore community partnerships to address local housing shortages.
“Focusing on efforts that ensure communities retain local control and have their critical needs met, including safety, education, healthcare and infrastructure.”
“He’s helped push for highway safety improvements, worked to get families the information they need on health care and water projects, and stayed focused on solving problems instead of creating new ones.”
Government Sovereignty and Governance
low salienceRepublican Eric Barlow
Favors limited government and state sovereignty
Barlow advocates for limited government principles centered on state sovereignty and individual liberty. He stresses respectful service delivery and accountability across state agencies.
- Protect state sovereignty and individual freedoms from government overreach.
- Deliver state administrative services respectfully and efficiently within a limited government framework.
“Protect your freedom and our state’s sovereignty.”